For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10 NASB

Identity crisis is defined as  period of uncertainty and confusion in which a person’s sense of identity becomes insecure, typically due to a change in their expected aims or role in society. We can experience an identity crisis when we go through major changes in life such as graduation, marriage, having children, beginning a new job, losing a job, retiring.

I want to take a look today at how we identify ourselves. For example as children, we may be identified by our parents. Often times people would introduce me by giving my parent’s name. I was often introduced as their youngest daughter. Now that I am married, I am sometimes introduced in connection to my husband. When we introduce ourselves to someone we give our relationship to someone we know to help them make a connection. If I meet someone that knows my stepson for example, I may introduce myself as his stepmother.

In the work force we typically identify ourselves by our job title. If you are passionate about a hobby and meet someone who also enjoys the same hobby, you may introduce yourself and then speak about your interest in that particular hobby. So, I want you to ask yourself today, how do you identify yourself. If this is confusing to you, then you may be experiencing an identity crisis.

I have a name last name that is very common in this area. It is typical when I meet people for them to ask me if I am related to someone they know sharing the same last name. When I began working in probation and parole, I worked with judges and other elected officials that knew my dad. He was well known in the political arena. I never made it known that he was my dad because I wanted to establish my own identity in my job. I didn’t want to be known as someone’s daughter or someone’s wife. I just wanted to be known for doing a good job. Now as time went on, people began to make the connection between me and my dad and that was fine. By that time, I had already established my own identity within my employment.

If you are experiencing confusion about your identity, know that this is never what God intended for your life. 1 Corinthians 14:33 tells us that God is not a god of confusion, but of peace. If you are experiencing confusion that is the devil, know that God brings peace and joy into our lives. But the devil comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10) and what better way to do this than to bring doubt and confusion into our lives.

Perhaps from my own life experiences, I can help clear some things up for you. You see I was raised in church and did well for a good part of my life. But, once I got into college, I strayed. I got married and we were both involved in church and things went well for a while, but then the marriage dissolved and after that I went for several years without doing so well again. I had these ups and downs kind of like those poor Israelites wandering around in the desert. I guess you could say that I was experiencing an identity crisis. I definitely had confusion about my role in life. I had one foot in the church and one foot in the world and that was creating a great deal of confusion. Now, just like the Israelites, I would sin, I would repent, God would forgive me, I would do well for a while and then you guessed it, I would fall into sin again and start the whole miserable process all over again.

But, finally, I realized that this roller coaster ride was not for me. I realized that I was a sinner, but I could be set free. I could have a new identity. Now, I’m not talking about changing my name and getting new driver’s license and social security card. I’m talking about establishing a new identity as a child of God. I was ready to establish my identity as someone who had been redeemed, sanctified, and justified. I was a new creature in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17), the old stuff was gone. I had been set free. I was no longer bound by those chains. I was freed from my bondage to sin.

After many years, I am happy to say that I no longer am experiencing an identity crisis. I know that I am a blood bought child of God. I know that He chose me and adopted me into His kingdom. I know that He loves me and protects me and upholds me with His righteous hand. I know who I am in Him.

If you are confused about who you are, know that there is a way to be sure. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). We were all made to be in fellowship and close relationship with Him. When we fail to do that, the lines become blurred. Confusion sets in. Don’t allow this to happen or to continue in your life, turn to Him today. I promise you won’t be sorry you did.

Have a great day!